The Zenbook S 14: A "Ceraluminum" Laptop That Feels Surprisingly Solid
In a tech world obsessed with flashy features and buzzwords, it’s easy to be cynical. When Asus unveiled its new "ceraluminum" material for the Zenbook S 16, I felt a familiar pang of skepticism. "Just another marketing gimmick," I thought. But, something about the new Zenbook S 14, with its subtle yet intriguing material innovation, has piqued my interest.
Ceraluminum: A Curious Material Choice
Asus describes ceraluminum as a bonding process of ceramic and aluminum. This unique material aims to deliver a tougher, lighter backplate for its laptops. While details remain murky, the ceraluminum on the Zenbook S 14 feels like plastic with a hint of solidity, reminiscent of a stone countertop. The texture is crisp, with distinct panel separation, offering a visually appealing contrast.
While ceraluminum may be a gimmick in its own right, it’s the simplicity and understated nature that sets it apart from other gimmicks. It’s not about flashy AI features or radical design changes – it’s about improving the core experience of using a laptop.
Beyond the "Ceraluminum": A Worthy Ultrabook
The Zenbook S 14 has much more to offer than just its peculiar material. It boasts a 3K OLED touchscreen display for stunning visuals and a generous 72 Whr battery supporting Wi-Fi 7 for blazing-fast connections. Asus claims a 27-hour battery life with video playback at low brightness, which, even with a healthy dose of cynicism, is promising.
The Power of Lunar Lake
The true star of the show, however, is the Intel Core Ultra 200V series, also known as Lunar Lake. Intel promises significant performance gains with these chips, including better rendering, gaming, and, crucially, improved battery life. This is a welcome development for an industry that’s often been criticized for sacrificing battery longevity for performance.
Competing with AI-Powered Laptops
With the rising popularity of AI-powered laptops like the new Dell XPS 13 and the Acer Swift 14 AI, which all promise 20+ hour battery life, the Zenbook S 14 may face tough competition. However, the Zenbook S 14’s Intel Core Ultra 7 processor is anticipated to outperform the AMD Ryzen AI 370 chip powering its predecessors, the Zenbook S 16 and S 13.
Asus’s Focus on Battery Life
Interestingly, Asus emphasizes the Zenbook S 14’s battery endurance for multitasking, claiming a 38% longer battery life compared to the S 13, with 50 tabs open. This focus on real-world usage scenarios, rather than exaggerated benchmarks, presents a refreshing change from the constant hype surrounding AI performance.
A Solid Build and Comfortable Design
Despite its 0.47-inch thickness and 2.65 pounds weight, the Zenbook S 14 feels surprisingly sturdy and comfortable to use. It’s ever so slightly lighter than the MacBook Air 13, though slightly thicker. Asus notes redesigned vapor chamber cooling and a smaller System on a Chip (SOC), contributing to a cooler operating temperature.
The Tiredness of Gimmickry
While I appreciate the "ceraluminum" novelty, I’m tired of companies throwing marketing gimmicks at us like confetti. The constant promises of "AI-powered" everything, including email composition and image generation, feel hollow and gimmicky.
The Future of AI
However, I don’t believe AI is a passing fad. Asus, like many other OEMs, is heavily promoting AI features, and there are undoubtedly applications where Lunar Lake’s AI performance can be beneficial. But, compared to the countless AI-branded laptops hitting the market, the Zenbook S 14’s focus on battery life and performance feels refreshing.
The "Ceraluminum" Verdict
The Zenbook S 14, with its unique "ceraluminum" backplate, might not be revolutionary, but it offers a solid foundation for productivity. Its sleek design, 3K OLED display, 72 Whr battery, and powerful Intel Core Ultra processor combine to present a strong contender in the ultrabook market.
While the hype surrounding "AI PCs" may fade, the Zenbook S 14 offers a glimmer of hope for laptops that prioritize real-world performance and practicality. If the promise of a long-lasting battery, a comfortable design, and a powerful processor resonates with you, the Zenbook S 14 might just be the unique laptop you’ve been looking for.
